Not scared of BJP, says Rohit Pawar

Rohit Pawar and Supriya Sule at the ED office on Wednesday. Pic/Anurag Ahire

After enduring 11 hours of interrogation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Rohit Pawar - NCP MLA and grandnephew of party supremo Sharad Pawar - finally broke his silence in an interview with mid-day. Rohit disclosed that during the extensive questioning, the ED did not inquire about the alleged Rs 5 crore transactions between his Baramati Agro and Hi-tech Engineering.

He expressed frustration, stating, "Such information given to the media aims to malign my image. I have nothing to hide. I presented myself before the ED and answered every question, but what I read in the newspaper about the suspicious Rs 5 crore transaction was not addressed by the ED." When the mid-day reporter asked about the specifics of the interrogation, he responded, "They inquired about my biodata, delving into details about my company and its inception. Questions about certain transactions were posed and I provided factual answers. They also asked me about the business I have been doing since 2007. I will come back on February 1 with additional documents they require." Rohit added that he would address the press and clarify the situation at the appropriate time. "My plea to the press is to diligently verify any information provided by informants."

NCP supporters protesting outside the part office on Wednesday. Pic/Anurag Ahire

According to Rohit, the allegations against him are a part of the BJP's tactics to intimidate opposition leaders. "They know I am among those who are unafraid of their tactics and their agencies. I will not yield to them. I am a fighter, prepared to battle them in both legal courts and the court of public. When we emerge victorious, it will benefit everyone… even those who have distanced themselves from us and have gone with the BJP, including Ajit dada."

Elaborating on the situation, Rohit said that the PIL in the high court in 2022 and the investigation started again by the ED has no mention of his name. He said he wasn't sure as to why he was being questioned as he had acted in accordance with the law. "Whatever is being purchased by my company is as per the price reserved by the bank. I am not sure what will happen on February 1. If they are going question me further or arrest me, we will fight accordingly in court and before the people's court," he added.

Allegations against Rohit Pawar

The agency suspects collusion between Baramati Agro and Hi-tech in manipulating the auction process to secure an unfair bid. Alongside Baramati Agro, two other companies - Hi-tech Engineering Corporation India Pvt Ltd and Samruddhi Sugar Pvt Ltd - participated in the auction process. Scrutiny of bank accounts revealed that on August 25, 2012, Baramati Agro transferred Rs 5 crore to Hi-tech, which was subsequently utilised as an earnest money deposit (EMD) for the auction of Kannad SSK Ltd just two days later.

Baramati Agro acquired the factory for Rs 50 crore, a price significantly undervalued and suspected to result from a manipulated auction under the Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank, according to the anti-money laundering agency. "I read this only in the media and no such questions were being asked to me by the ED. These allegations are totally baseless and being spread in the media to malign my image ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections," Rohit said.

Rs 5 cr
Amount allegedly transferred to Hi-tech Engg.